Adventure Magazine Cover — page 93: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Lost Diggings “I swear you men in as special deputies to help me enforce the Law. Kolb, hitch that mare in an open stall and give her water. Mister Patterson, you and this mountain feller will go before Judge Curks and make your claims. If either of you offer any resistance you'll be shot.” Hale’s tanned face remained as impassive as an Indian’s, although he was beginning to understand that so far as the sheriff was concerned he stood a small chance of re- covering his property unless he resorted to gun-play. But there was every chance the court would instantly detect the sound- ness of his claim, and he told himself he would exhaust all peaceable means before resorting to violence and exiling himself from the territory. He knew he would finally get the mare, or be killed in trying. In a low voice he said: “Ym a law-abiding man. law—when she’s working. court and see how it pans out. girl. I’ll be back for you.” With a parting caress he picked up his rifle and walked beside Patterson into the street. The building used for the court-room was a small structure near the Tusk Saloon. The special deputies solemnly marched on both sides of the two men. The curious and idle fell in behind the little procession, and by the time the court-room was reached there were men enough in attendance to fill it to the door. The majority of the spectators kept up a running fire of derisive remarks directed at Hale. But there were some in the crowd who were grim of purpose although saying nothing. Judge Curks, said to be the personal friend of Governor Lyon, was summoned from the Tusk. He was cadaverous of face and gaunt of frame. His rusty black long-skirted coat and his long black hair accentuated the natural pallor of his bony face. There was something mortuary in the whole effect of his presentment. Hale felt dubious as he stared at him. Curks seating himself behind a small table, stared indifferently at Hale. As he looked, however, his indifference was pricked through with curiosity, and he frowned slightly. Swanger briefly explained the nature of the dispute, in which much doubt was indirectly cast on Hale’s veracity and no mention was made of Patterson’s abortive attempt at murder. Hale smiled I respect the We'll go to Good-by, grimly as he perceived how openly the ma- chinery of the law was moving against him. “Well, sir!’ snapped the court and ad- dressing Hale. “What have you to say about this display of mortal weapons?” ‘“T reckon judge, we’re here to talk about my mare,” drawled Hale. “I ain’t heard that any one has made a complaint about my weapons. Seems to me that the nub of this hearing is the mare. She’s down in that rat’s stable.” And he pointed at Kolb. “And I want her now.” ‘You deny threatening our citizen’s lives with deadly firearms?”’ ‘““What’s the use of my answering that? Thev can lie faster’n a dozen honest men can tell the truth. That gambling person drew a derringer on me and [I had to stick the business end of my gun against his white shirt to make him behave. Now let’s talk about my mare.’ “Vou are fined fifty dollars for aiming a lethal weapon at Mr. Patterson.” Hale swallowed convulsively. Those near him observed the big veins swelling out on his bronzed neck. He fought down the ferocious rage that was trying to drive him into seeing red, and forced a ghastly smile, and said: “All right. It saved my life and was worth it. Now can we talk about the mare?” “You are fined another fifty dollars for contempt of court,” ruled the court. Hale closed his eyes for a moment and clinched his hands together to keep them from his belt. The court directed— ‘“‘Now you may make out your case.” fan THE paper signed by Hill Beachy oe ar) was presented and made an im- pression on Curks. Beachy was not a man to be trifled with. Pursing his lips and frowning at the writing, Curks finally said: “Whatever Mr. Beachy says assays out one thousand in this court. He is a staunch pillar of this territory. But this writing does not identify you as the Calvin Hale who lost the mare.” “Just what I told him, your honor,” -spoke up Swanger. Curks glared the deputy into silence. Hale sighed resignedly and said: “Tam Calvin Hale. The mare will recog- nize me and no one else. She'll identify 83 GOMIIGoOO S © iin